rideandfly

Oliver does not have plugs on hand for our Ollie. Going to pull a top plug out today, measure, photo, and post here later. Want to install plugs in the bottom weep holes (only for storage) while storing in an airplane hangar to keep mud daubers out.

For us we were taking lots of stuff we did not need on trips. Now we pack according to each trip. This rig handles nicely and stops easily, too. Thanks,

When we purchased our 2015 LE2 used during 2016 it had two group 27 12V lead acid batteries without factory solar. The following information & installation has happened over a few years. Initially we purchased a Renogy 100W suitcase solar panel and used it charging the batteries through the trailer's 7 pin connector. Wanted to have a more efficient way to charge batteries. Installed a Furrion Solar port and mounted Renogy Waterproof solar charger in the battery compartment. Use about 36' of 10/2 cable with 12' sections from solar panel to Ollie's Furrion Port. Had to drill holes in Ollie's pretty finish for the Furrion Solar port next to battery compartment. Furrion inlet under port bed: Renogy Solar 20A Waterproof Charge Controller mounted on plastic kitchen cutting board in battery compartment: When Ollie is in the shade it's nice to be able to reach out up to 36' placing panel in the sun, panel in lower LH corner of photo. Highest charge amperage seen using 36' of panel cable is 6 amps and highest charge amperage seen is 7.1 amps using one 12' section of solar cable. We purchased a Honda EU2000i to charge batteries on poor solar days. Installed a EZ start on the 13.5K Dometic AC so the Honda gen-set can also run the AC unit, or microwave, or hot water heater. Been actively reducing Ollie's weight when possible, currently Ollie's ready to camp weight is around 4950 pounds with full 6 gallon hot water tank and all other water tanks empty as per CAT scales. Replaced two group 27 12V (125 pounds) batteries with one BattleBorn 100AH Lithium (35 pounds) battery for loss of weight and Lithium battery performance benefits. Also installed the Progressive Dynamics Lithium charging section in our Progressive Dynamics convertor that BattleBorn said would work fine with their battery. Using the Honda gen-set connected to Ollie's 30 amp connection, the Progressive charger slowly drops charge amperage then cycles charge rate between .25 amps to .4 amps at full charge. BattleBorn told me not to worry about TV alternator damage when connected to TV with 7 pin plug with our particular system. They said because of charge cable's small diameter and distance from TV to battery, would not see very high amperage charge with TV connected. So far with BattleBorn battery at 75% charge while connected to TV with engine idling have not seen more than 3.5 amps of charge. Our current TV has 180 amp alternator and with ignition turned off, the 12V power supply to Ollie is also switched off. Initially installed a Victron BlueTooth shunt to monitor the battery, but my Android 5 was not supported by the Victron system. Believe Victron unit is the way to go, but at the time my Android was not compatible so purchased an inexpensive shunt & monitor from Amazon to monitor the battery. Found a automotive 2" instrument mount on Ebay to mount the monitor: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FGFFHC6?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details The battery monitor is not waterproof, use a 1 1/8" hole saw to cut out 1" OD plastic cutting board plugs to fill the existing ventilation holes in the battery compartment door. Did not want to mount these plugs permanently, sealed with clear RTV silicone for easy removal: The benefits of the Lithium battery is much faster charging with gen-set or solar panel with plenty of battery capacity for our style of camping. Will be doing more camping without electricity and water connections with this system, too.

Debbie and I camped at Linville Falls Campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway earlier this week. It's a Federal campground without electric or water hookups, but beautiful and $10 per night with the geezer card. High temps were in the upper 70s. Table Rock Mountain just to the right of Ollie on NC Rt. 181 on the way to Linville Falls: We hiked a mile from Table Rock parking/picnic area to the top of Table Rock NC:

Yesterday, I could not send PMs or post here using my laptop with Firefox browser, this laptop/browser combination has worked fine for the last two years here. Tried using my "new to me" Apple smartphone to send a PM on the forum today and it worked fine. Using my laptop right now with Brave browser and it's working great. Don't know if it has anything to do with forum updates, but if anyone is having issues posting or sending PMs, try another browser. I'm not a knowledgeable computer person, but wanted to share my recent experiences. Test Photo of lithium/solar upgrade battery box:

Reed made a good video! I use a little grease on the ball, too.

John and Overland, Good ideas!

Know what you mean, wish I still had my 66 SS Chevelle! 🙁

When Ford came out with the Original Maverick auto many years ago, it was $1995. The new 2022 Ford Maverick pickup's base price is $19,995. Coincidence?

After David started this thread, started looking at all 1/2 & 3/4 ton pickup grills, some look OK but some don't look very good including most manufacturers. With all the higher HP power-plants and more stringent EPA requirements , additional areas for cooling is probably needed, too. When we replaced diesel power-plants on industrial machines with the newest EPA tier engine, we needed more space to accommodate larger radiators and coolers meeting EPA engine's emission requirements. Speaking of the newer pickups, my Wife likes smaller pickups for daily drivers. The new 2022 Ford Maverick looks interesting for a daily driver, not so much for towing.

Yep, it's a Diamondback. Like the construction, durability, locking system, and everything stayed dry. The Diamondback system was not too heavy, helping out with payload, too. The aluminum finished Diamondback looked OK with the Tundra's chrome look grill, too.

Liked the grill on our 2016 SR5 and believe different grill finish/paint could help 2022 looks. Will be interesting to see different trim level grill looks.

Looking forward to seeing the 2022 Tundra. Better fuel economy and more payload. 👍

Yep, it's Carolina BBQ! Here's the link, always stop there when in the area. It's not too far from BRP, too. https://www.carolinabbqnewland.com/

David, Great looking campground and photos! We're going camping there after seeing your post. There's a great BBQ in Newland, going to check them out, too! 👍

Dave & Becky, Welcome from North Carolina. We're north of CLT. Please let us know if we can be of assistance before or after your Ollie purchase! Best Regards,

Garageboy and TravelTogether, Welcome from North Carolina. We scheduled an Oliver plant tour during May 2016, before heading to TN for the plant tour the former owners of our Ollie LE2 put it up for sale in the classified section here. We went for the plant tour and drove to MO later that day to see Ollie. Purchased Ollie #75 the following day! No regrets!

We installed a Micro-Air EZ Start. Run our 13.5K Dometic AC with a Honda 2000W gen-set without issues. https://www.microair.net/collections/easystart-soft-starters

One of our favorite campsites at Hunting Island SP SC barrier island, was lost during a recent hurricane. When it was full moon and high tide, sometimes a little bit of the surf would make it to the trailer's tires. Always had thoughts of waking up "lost at sea". 😬

Pennie, Congratulations! You may have your new Ollie in time for fall colors! 👍

That's what we call ours, Oliver Sign!

Sometimes during Open House at Rallies, I place a low amp blade fuse, 5A between the running light pin and 12V power pin on the trailer's 7 pin connector. This will illuminate Ollie's running lights. Stole that idea from another trailer owner. See trailer plug alignment tang over the fuse placed in top two pins. Used this larger fuse only as an example, use 5A:

Our 2015 LE2 has a LED strip.

Thinking the same thing. Guessing your light will not work with running lights on. Edit: Running lights on our LE2:

Some other Ollie folks here are just starting Keto. Just scanned some of Debbie's recipes and emailed them. Good idea about vacuum packed items!